Hermosa Beach eclectic imprint Hardline Entertainment today announced the upcoming release of “The Late Shift”, the debut solo EP from Versus the World frontman Donald Spence. Out March 4th, the EP will be a collection of stripped-down songs that highlight the singer-songwriter’s gifts for melody and story telling.

Spence has spent the last few years touring the globe with his band Versus the World (whose members include The Ataris’ Michael Davenport and Lagwagon’s Chris Flippin) in support of their latest release Drink. Sing. Live. Love. Despite the bands hectic touring schedule, Spence’s creative energy hasn’t slowed down a bit, and the “The Late Shift” is a document of the ups and downs of a life lived for art.

The EP also represents a bit of a departure for Spence, as he eschews the post-punk for which Versus the World is known, instead taking his cues from Americana, alt country, and rock and roll. The resulting collection of songs featuring the title track “The Late Shift”, Donald sings about living and loving in the working class world, “Forever the poor boys, drinking bottom shelf with the rest of the working stiffs. What ever keeps that fire lit.” Lamenting that sometimes working to just get by is more than enough. With the track “Don’t it Show”, Spence writes about the life that doesn’t stop when you leave on tour. The relationships and the world that refuse to quit turning just because you left the country. “The great healer and killer of all things. We’re all doing time.”

Donald Spence and Hardline Entertainment have teamed up to release “The Late Shift” just in time for Spence and Versus the World’s stint on The Ataris “So Long Astoria” reunion tour (which will also feature support from Authority Zero and Drag the River). Spence will also be lending his services on guitar, keyboards and backing vocals on stage with The Ataris.

Donald Spence “The Late Shift” Out March 4th on Hardline Entertainment

Track Listing

1) The City

2) The Late Shift

3) Don’t It Show

4) You’re Trouble

5) Breathe Steady

VERSUS THE WORLD TOUR DATES

Feb. 16 – Santa Barbara, CA @ The Velvet Jones w/ The Flatliners

Feb. 17 – Sacramento, CA @ Midtown Barfly w/ The Flatliners

Feb. 28 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock w/ The Ataris

March 1 – Las Vegas, NV @ Backstage Bar w/ The Ataris

March 2 – Fresno, CA @ Strummers w/ The Ataris

March 3 – San Lois Obispo, CA. @ SLO Brew w/ The Ataris

March 5 – West Hollywood, CA. @ House of Blues w/ The Ataris, Authority Zero, Drag the River

March 6 – Anaheim, CA. @ House of Blues w/ The Ataris, Authority Zero, Drag the River

March 7 – San Diego, CA. @ House of Blues w/ The Ataris, Authority Zero, Drag the River

March 8 – San Francisco, CA. @ Bottom of the Hill w/ The Ataris, Authority Zero, Drag the River